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Author Hugh Thomson wins Wainwright Prize

Thomson's book was chosen from a strong field of nature and travel authors

Latest update 09.05.2014 09:23

Hugh Thomson’s book The Green Road into the Trees: A Walk Through England has won The Wainwright Prize for literature, it was announced last night.

The new literary prize, which is run in association with the Trust, is an award given for the best UK nature and travel writing and was judged by a panel including our magazine editor, Sally Palmer, and former director general Fiona Reynolds.

Thomson was given his award at the Royal College of Surgeons Library in central London having beaten a shortlist of six writers to the £5,000 prize money.

Speaking about the winning book Sally Palmer said: ‘It’s a lovely read that’s guaranteed to inspire you to want to get outdoors.

‘On his return from a trip to Peru, Thomson decided to walk through England as though he were abroad and write about his journey, both personal and literal, in the context of the landscape, its history and the people he met along the way,’ said Palmer.

Some great outdoor books to choose from

The panel, which also included representatives from Countryfile Magazine and The Wainwright Society, were given a shortlist of six books to choose from.

‘It was a strong and varied shortlist,’ said Palmer, ‘but all were well-written, rich in detail and full of character.

‘Being on the judging panel has been a fantastic experience. What’s not to like about reading a dozen compelling and beautifully written books about a subject I’m passionately interested in?'